Abstract: Fiber optic equipment that supports one or more rear-installable fiber optic modules is disclosed. The fiber optic equipment is comprised of a chassis defining a front end and a rear section. At least one guide system is disposed in the chassis and configured to receive at least one fiber optic module. The guide system may be provided in the form of a rail guide system. The at least one guide system receives the at least one fiber optic module from the rear section on the chassis and is configured to guide the fiber optic module toward the front end of the chassis. In this manner, a technician can make fiber optic connections to fiber optic modules and also install the fiber optic modules into the fiber optic equipment from the rear section of the chassis to reduce time and/or labor in making fiber optic connections.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes a body for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, and one or more anchors extending from the body for securing the body between the vertebrae. A linear motion control mechanism is mounted in the body and operable to limit linear translation of the anchor(s) relative to the body. Also, a pivot control mechanism in the body operates to limit pivot motion of the anchor(s) relative to the body. The linear and pivot control mechanisms are configured in various arrangements and embodiments exhibiting adjustable dynamic settings, allowing a single implant to provide various types of dynamic fixation with ranges of motion that permit loads to transfer to graft material contained in the disk space.

Abstract: The vertebral body replacement device includes a body member and a central rod member that has two threaded portions and is configured to be operatively associated with the body member. The device also includes a first end member and a second end member with the end members being configured to threadingly engage the threaded portions of the central rod member. The body member and the two end members are further constructed to inhibit rotational movement of the two end members when the device is positioned within a space within a spine as the two end members will engage the adjacent respective vertebral bodies following rotational actuation of the central rod member causing the end members to move in an axial direction relative to the body member, thereby allowing the two end members to apply a force to the two vertebral bodies. A surgical method using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerized method for generating a time-limited number for use in a payment card transaction involving a payment card issued to a user by a financial institution. The payment card comprises an original payment card number. The method comprises the steps of providing to a processor a first plurality of digits of the original payment card number, where the first plurality of digits are predetermined digits associated to the financial institution, providing to the processor a desired expiration date through which the time-limited number is valid for acceptance in the payment card transaction, and executing a program by the processor so that the program sets a first plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first plurality of digits in the original payment card number, generates a first number corresponding to the desired expiration date, sets a second plurality of digits in the time-limited number to the first number, and outputs the time-limited number.

Abstract: A prism system is disclosed for splitting a broadband incoming light beam. In one embodiment, the broadband beam enters the prism system and is shifted laterally through a parallelogram shaped prism. The beam then encounters a first dichroic coating treated surface. The light that is reflected off of the surface strikes the internal wall of the prism to undergo total internal reflection within the prism. The beam exits the prism parallel to the original incoming broadband beam. The beam that passes through the dichroic surface reaches a second dichroic coating treated surface where a specified waveband of light is reflected while the remaining wavelengths pass through. The beam reflected by the second dichroic surface undergoes a total internal reflection and exits parallel to the incoming broadband beam. The light beam which passes through the second dichroic surface exits the prism parallel to the original incoming broadband beam.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: A parameterized interleaver design process is provided, which optimizes the design for interleavers of any size, and can be completely specified using only a few design parameters. According to the parameterized interleaver design process an interleaver ?(i) of a length N is generated. A number of subpermutation masks are defined, and a first intermediate interleaver permutation is partitioned into a number of subgroups, wherein the number of subgroups corresponds with the number of subpermutation masks. Each of the subgroups of the first intermediate interleaver permutation is partitioned into a number of further subgroups, and each of the subpermutation masks is applied to each of the further subgroups of a corresponding subgroup of the first intermediate interleaver permutation, resulting in a corresponding portion of a second intermediate interleaver permutation. The resulting interleaver ?(i) is generated based at least in part on the first and second intermediate interleaver permutations.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a system and method for utilizing incentives to promote patient education and compliance. More particularly, the present invention provides a user-accessible website in which various rewards are provide to a patient upon completion of various education and other health-related tasks in order to promote education, health-management, and compliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a control for activating and deactivating heating, cooling and fan recirculate modes having an interval timer switchable between a timer on (TON) state and a timer off (TOFF) state, both the TON and TOFF state durations are variable according to comparisons between room temperature and a set point temperature of the control and the control activating the fan recirculate mode when the room temperature deviates from the set point temperature of the control. An interval spacer is provided to prevent back to back fan on states.

Abstract: Multi-port optical connection terminals and mounting platforms and related methods designed to secure optical components inside an enclosure of the multi-port optical connection terminals are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-port optical connection terminal includes an enclosure comprising a base and a cover configured to attach to the base to define an interior cavity. A mounting platform defining a mounting surface for mounting at least one optical component comprised from the group consisting of at least one splice tray and at least one optical splitter to the at least one mounting surface is provided. A plurality of mounting tabs of the mounting platform are configured to extend into channels disposed in an interior wall of the base. In this manner, the mounting platform and any optical components secured thereto are secured inside the interior cavity, which may prevent damage to optical fibers and/or splices of the optical components.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for network congestion control exploit the inherent burstiness of network traffic, using a wave-based characterization of network traffic and corresponding multiplexing methods and approaches.

Abstract: To reduce the heat input to the bottom of the crucible and to control heat extraction independently of heat input, a shield can be raised between a heating element and a crucible at a controlled speed as the crystal grows. Other steps could include moving the crucible, but this process can avoid having to move the crucible. A temperature gradient is produced by shielding only a portion of the heating element; for example, the bottom portion of a cylindrical element can be shielded to cause heat transfer to be less in the bottom of the crucible than at the top, thereby causing a stabilizing temperature gradient in the crucible.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: A printing and binding apparatus (1) is disclosed which can print on demand, bind, and trim a perfect bound book. The apparatus includes one or more text page printers (110, 200) and a color cover printer (114). The text page printers print the text pages of a book and form the text pages into a book block (BB). The color cover printer (114) prints a cover for the book. The book block and the cover are delivered to a binding station at which the spine (S) of the book block is adhesively bound to the cover. The bound book is then delivered to a trimming station (TS) at which excess margins (are trimmed from the book. A method of printing and binding a perfect bound book on demand is also disclosed.

Abstract: Products are dispensed from a dispensing apparatus in which products marked with transaction information are received in a two-dimensional array of moveable bins. In response to control information synthesized from transaction information on the products in the bins and a dispense request, the array is operated to place a bin at a dispensing station on the dispensing apparatus. At the dispensing station, a mechanism is operated in response to the control information to provide access to the bin. A product in the bin may then be retrieved.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges, and an annular collar to adapt and connect the manifold to the cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber disposed within a cavity of a cable jacket and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The cavity has a first cavity cross-sectional area and a second cavity cross-sectional area located at different longitudinal locations along the cable, where the first cavity cross-sectional area is greater than the second cavity cross-sectional area. The region of the second cavity cross-sectional area of the cable provides and/or increases the coupling level of the at least one optical fiber to the cable jacket. In further embodiments, the fiber optic cable is a dry cable having one or more dry insert within the cavity for cushioning and/or optionally providing water-blocking for the cable.

Abstract: The networked guideway transit system uses materials and methods of constructing guideway elements. The materials and methods are designed to reduce the static weight, cost and physical size of the guideway structure. Installation cost is also significantly reduced by the modular nature of the guideway components, which can be manufactured in a controlled factory environment using mass production methods. As a result, the supporting structure of the guideway can be quickly erected and the modular blocks inserted with simple equipment. In addition, complex alignment procedures are not required. In particular, the guideway component includes motor coils having the shapes and configurations that facilitate the easy insertion of the guideway component without the need for interleaving coils in adjacent guideway components and without creating dead spots in the magnetic fields between guideway components.

Abstract: A system and method for measurement of parameters of a conductive material, include generating an oscillating electromagnetic field (EMF) interacting with a sample portion from a remotely positioned source; measuring values of components of impedance of the electromagnetic; populating a system of equations including a theory of electromagnetism-based mathematical model of the electromagnetic system; solving the system of equations to calculate values of a distance between the sample portion and the source, thickness of the sample portion in proximity to a point of projection of the source onto the sample portion and electromagnetic properties of the sample portion; outputting the calculated values as the measured values; and repeating the steps of generating, populating, solving, outputting and repeating using the calculated values for the step of populating in place of the measured component values.

Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) hybrid wired/wireless transponder is disclosed that is configured to provide both wireless and wired communication between a hybrid head-end and one or more client devices. The hybrid transponder includes optical-to-electrical (O/E) and electrical-to-optical (E/O) conversion capability and is configured to frequency multiplex/demultiplex electrical “wired” signals and electrical “wireless” signals. The electrical wireless signals are wirelessly communicated to the client device(s) via a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system within a cellular coverage area. The electrical wired signals are communicated to the client device(s) via a wireline cable that plugs into a wireline cable port on the transponder. The hybrid RoF system includes a hybrid head-end capable of transmitting and receiving wired and wireless optical signals, and an optical fiber cable that is optically coupled to the hybrid head-end and to at least one hybrid transponder.